A Water Quality Study in Rutherford County, Tennessee: Student Group Project

Abstract

Undergraduate research is the most rewarding way for science students to become exposed to the process of scientific investigation. Water quality studies offer the unique advantages of being easily designed by the students and analytically approachable. This two-part, 14-month study involved several students in the delineation of groundwater flow patterns and water chemistry analysis in the karst terrane of Rutherford County, Tennessee. The groundwater traces were conducted using fluorescent dyes and an optical brightener, and the students were able to clearly document that urban runoff entering sinkholes was feeding the springs. They then proceeded to design a water chemistry study on four springs located within the Upper Stones River Watershed. They measured temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and oxygen demanding organics. The employment of some simple statistics allowed the students to demonstrate that the most urban spring, Murfree, had the highest coefficient of variation (CV) for temperature (17.8°C) and one of the lower conductivities (346 microsiemens). It had the lowest average dissolved oxygen concentration (4.3 mg/L), with concentrations that frequently fell below 4 mg/L. In addition, it had the highest recorded chemical oxygen demand (COD) at 33 mg O2/L. In the end, through regional and national presentations, the students documented their conclusion that the most urban spring was impacted by urbanization and surface water runoff. The project has resulted in several students pursuing advanced scientific degrees, obtaining desirable environmental science jobs, pursing competitive fellowships, and writing scientific papers.